Expansion tool

ABSTRACT

An expansion tool includes a housing, a collar rotatably coupled to the housing, the collar including a plurality of slots, a plurality of jaws, each jaw having a projection received in a corresponding one of the plurality of slots such that the jaws are coupled for co-rotation with the collar, a mandrel moveable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position, the mandrel engageable with the jaws to expand the jaws in response to movement of the mandrel to the extended position, and a cone received within the plurality of jaws and engageable with inner surfaces of the plurality of jaws. The mandrel is configured to engage the cone to move the cone with the mandrel to expand the jaws as the mandrel moves toward the extended position, and a rotation mechanism is configured to incrementally rotate the collar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/716,773, filed Apr. 8, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,779,990, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/172,874,filed Apr. 9, 2021, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63/303,732, filed Jan. 27, 2022, the entire contents of each of whichare incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to pipe and tubing expansion tools. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to PEX (cross-linkedpolyethylene) expansion tools.

BACKGROUND

PEX tubing is commonly used in plumbing applications as a substitute forcopper pipe. PEX tubing can be coupled to fittings in various ways.Crimp rings or clamp rings can be compressed onto the outside of PEXtubing over a fitting to couple the PEX tubing to the fitting.Alternatively, the PEX tube can be expanded, and the fitting insertedinto the expanded end of the PEX tube. The PEX tube elastically recoversaround the fitting to form a tight connection. Tools used to expand PEXtube for this purpose are referred to as PEX expansion tools.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, an expansion toolincluding a housing, a collar rotatably coupled to the housing, thecollar including a plurality of slots, a plurality of jaws, each jawhaving a projection received in a corresponding one of the plurality ofslots such that the jaws are coupled for co-rotation with the collar, amandrel moveable relative to the housing between a retracted positionand an extended position, the mandrel engageable with the jaws to expandthe jaws in response to movement of the mandrel to the extendedposition, and a cone received within the plurality of jaws andengageable with inner surfaces of the plurality of jaws. The mandrel isconfigured to engage the cone to move the cone with the mandrel toexpand the jaws as the mandrel moves toward the extended position, and arotation mechanism is configured to incrementally rotate the collar.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, an expansion toolincluding a housing, a motor supported in the housing, a plurality ofjaws, a mandrel moveable relative to the housing between a retractedposition and an extended position, the mandrel engageable with the jawsto expand the jaws in response to movement of the mandrel to theextended position, and a drive mechanism configured to convertrotational input from the motor into translational movement of themandrel between the retracted position and the extended position. Thedrive mechanism is operable in a high speed configuration and a lowspeed configuration.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, an expansion toolincluding a housing, a collar rotatably coupled to the housing, aplurality of jaws coupled for co-rotation with the collar, a mandrelmoveable relative to the housing between a retracted position and anextended position, the mandrel engageable with the jaws to expand thejaws in response to movement of the mandrel to the extended position,and a cone received within the plurality of jaws and engageable withinner surfaces of the plurality of jaws. The mandrel is configured toengage the cone to move the cone with the mandrel to expand the jaws asthe mandrel moves toward the extended position, and the cone includesmeans for containing grease to lubricate the inner surfaces of theplurality of jaws.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent byconsideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. Anyfeature(s) described herein in relation to one aspect or embodiment maybe combined with any other feature(s) described herein in relation toany other aspect or embodiment as appropriate and applicable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expansion tool according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a drive assembly of theexpansion tool of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the expansion tool of FIG. 1 ,illustrating a shift actuator of the expansion tool.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the expansion tool of FIG. 1 withportions removed, illustrating the shift actuator.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the expansion tool of FIG.1 , illustrating a rotation collar.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a headfor use with the expansion tool of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of a headfor use with the expansion tool of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating a portion of the expansion toolof FIG. 1 including the rotation collar and the head.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the head of FIG. 6B in apartially installed position on the expansion tool of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the head of FIG. 6B in afully installed position on the expansion tool of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a third embodiment of ahead for use with the expansion tool of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of an inner cone of the head of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of ahead for use with the expansion tool of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of an inner cone of the head of FIG. 11A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates an expansion tool 10 usable to expand PEX tubingprior to inserting a fitting. The expansion tool 10 includes a housing12 with a handle portion 14 configured to be gripped by a user duringoperation of the expansion tool 10. The illustrated housing 12 alsoincludes a motor housing portion 18 positioned in front of the handleportion 14, and a drive housing portion 22 positioned above the motorhousing portion 18 and the handle portion 14. An actuator 26 (e.g., atrigger) for operating the expansion tool 10 is positioned on the handleportion 14. A motor 30 (e.g., a brushless DC electric motor) issupported within the motor housing portion 18, and a drive mechanism 34is supported within the drive housing portion 22 (FIG. 2 ).

The illustrated expansion tool 10 includes a battery 46 (FIG. 1 )configured to provide electrical power to the motor 30 (e.g., inresponse to depressing the actuator 26). The battery 46 is preferably arechargeable battery pack with a plurality of lithium-based cells and isremovably coupled to a battery receptacle 48 located at a base of thehandle 14 (FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the battery 46 has a nominaloutput voltage of about 18 volts. In other embodiments, the battery 46has a nominal output voltage of about 12 volts. In other embodiments,the battery 46 may have other nominal output voltages (e.g., 24 volts,36 volts, 40 volts, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 2 , the motor 30 includes a rotor or motor shaft 38that rotates about a first axis or motor axis 42 to provide a rotationalinput to the drive mechanism 34. In the illustrated embodiment, themotor shaft 38 is rotationally supported by three bearings 43 spacedalong the motor axis 42. The drive mechanism 34 converts the rotationalinput from the motor shaft 38 into a translational movement of a mandrel50 along a second axis or mandrel axis 54. In the illustratedembodiment, the mandrel axis 54 is perpendicular to the motor axis 42,which contributes to a compact overall length of the expansion tool 10.

The illustrated drive mechanism 34 includes a first gear 58 coupled forco-rotation with the motor shaft 38 about the motor axis 42, a secondgear 62 meshed with the first gear 58, and a third gear 66 meshed withthe second gear 62. The drive mechanism 34 provides a speed reductionand torque increase from the motor shaft 38 to the third gear 66. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, the second gear 62 is larger indiameter and includes a greater number of teeth than the first gear 58,and the third gear 66 is larger in diameter and includes a greaternumber of teeth than the second gear 62.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 , the third gear 66 is coupled forco-rotation with a shaft 70, such that the third gear 66 and the shaft70 co-rotate together about a third axis or drive axis 74 that isparallel to the motor axis 42 and perpendicular to the mandrel axis 54.The shaft 70 provides a rotational input to a transmission 76, which inthe illustrated embodiment is a multi-stage planetary transmission(e.g., a four-stage planetary transmission). In other embodiments, othertypes of transmissions 76 may be used. In the illustrated embodiment,the transmission 76 is shiftable to provide the expansion tool 10 withtwo different operating speeds.

More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 3-4 , the expansion tool 10includes a shifting assembly 1000 which may alternate between a highspeed configuration or a low speed configuration. The illustratedshifting assembly 1000 includes an actuator 1002 positioned on thehousing 12 of the expansion tool 10 and a shifting arm 1004 connected tothe actuator 1002. The actuator 1002 is located on a rear side of thehousing 12, above the handle portion 14 in the illustrated embodiment;however, the actuator 1002 may be located in other positions on thehousing 12 in other embodiments.

The shifting arm 1004 is coupled to a movable ring gear 1008 (FIG. 2 ),which is part of an intermediate stage of the multi-stage planetarytransmission 76. The shifting arm 1004 is pivotable to translatemovement of the actuator 1002 into axial movement of the movable ringgear 1008. When the shifting assembly 1000 is in the low speedconfiguration, the movable ring gear 1008 engages a locking ring 1010,which prevents the ring gear 1008 from rotating. When the shiftingassembly 1000 is in the high speed configuration, the movable ring gear1008 disengages from the locking ring 1010, permitting free rotation ofthe ring gear 1008.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the shifting assembly 1000 includes a shiftingdetector 1006 configured to detect when the shifting assembly 1000 isactuated between the high speed configuration and the low speedconfiguration. In the illustrated embodiment, the shifting detector 1006includes a micro switch 1007 with a spring lever 1009 that extends intothe path of the shifting arm 1004. The shifting arm 1004 engages thespring lever 1009 to close the micro switch 1007 when the shiftingassembly 1000 is in the high speed configuration. When the shiftingassembly 1000 is moved to the low speed configuration, the spring lever1009 moves with the shifting arm 1004 to open the micro switch 1007. Inother embodiments, the position of the micro switch 1007 may be variedsuch that the micro switch 1007 is closed when the shifting assembly1000 is in the low speed configuration and opens when the shiftingassembly 1000 is moved to the high speed configuration.

The shifting detector 1006 is electrically coupled to a controller 1010(FIG. 1 ) of the expansion tool 10. The controller 1010 includes aplurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power,operational control, and protection to the components and modules withinthe controller 1010. In particular, the controller 1010 may include,among other things, an electronic processor (e.g., a programmablemicroprocessor, microcontroller, or similar device), non-transitory,machine-readable memory, an input/output interface, and the like. Thecomponents and modules of the controller 1010 may be mounted on a PCBsupported within the housing 12. The electronic processor iscommunicatively coupled to the memory and configured to retrieve frommemory and execute, among other things, instructions related to thecontrol processes and methods described herein.

The shifting detector 1006 provides a signal to the controller 1010 ofthe expansion tool 10 to indicate if a shift is taking place. Forexample, the controller 1010 may determine that a shift from the lowspeed configuration to the high speed configuration is taking place ifthe micro switch 1007 changes state from its open position to its closedposition. The controller 1010 may similarly determine that a shift fromthe high speed configuration to the low speed configuration is takingplace if the micro switch 1007 changes state from its closed position toits open position. In other embodiments, the shifting detector 1006 mayinclude other sensors capable of determining whether a shift is takingplace. For example, in other embodiments, the shifting detector 1006 mayinclude one or more optical sensors, magnetic sensors, position sensors,or the like capable of determining whether a shift is taking place bymonitoring movement of the actuator 1002, ring gear 1008, and/or theshifting arm 1004.

In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion tool 10 includes a lightsource 1012 positioned on a front side of the housing 12 (FIG. 1 ). Thelight source 1012 may be configured to illuminate a workpiece duringoperation of the expansion tool 10. The light source 1012 may also becontrolled by the controller 1010 to provide an operator with visualfeedback associated with operation of the shifting assembly 1000.

In operation, the shifting assembly 1000 may be in either the high speedconfiguration or the low speed configuration. When the operatordepresses the actuator 26 and energizes the motor 30, the controller1010 monitors the shifting detector 1006. If the operator attempts toshift the shifting assembly 1000 between the high speed position and thelow speed position by actuating the actuator 1002 while the motor 30 isenergized, the shifting detector 1006 provides a signal to thecontroller 1010 indicating that a shift is occurring. In response tothis signal, the controller 1010 automatically deenergizes the motor 30.By deenergizing the motor 30, the gears of the transmission 76 slow, andadverse impacts on the gears that may occur by shifting during operationare lessened. In some embodiments, the controller 1010 may also controlthe light source 1012 to produce a predetermined blinking pattern inorder to communicate to the operator that the shut off was intentional.In other embodiments, other indicators, including but not limited toaudible indicators, colored LEDs, LED/LCD displays, or the like may beused to alert the user to the intentional shut-off of the motor 30. Theoperator can then resume operation by depressing the actuator 26 oncemore, thereby energizing the motor 30.

With reference to FIG. 2 , the illustrated transmission 76 includes anoutput member 78 (i.e., a carrier of the final stage of the planetarytransmission 76) coupled to a drive shaft 82 such that the drive shaft82 co-rotates with the output member 78 about the drive axis 74. A cam86 is coupled for co-rotation with the drive shaft 82. The cam 86includes a contact surface 90 at its outer periphery. The contactsurface 90 engages a follower or roller 94, which in turn is coupled tothe mandrel 50 via a pin 98 extending vertically through the mandrel 50.The follower 94 is biased into engagement with the contact surface 90 ofthe cam 86 by a spring 102 acting on the mandrel 50.

The contact surface 90 of the cam 86 has a variable radius such thatrotation of the cam 86 moves the follower 94 to reciprocate the mandrel50 along the mandrel axis 54. The cam 86, follower 94, spring 102, andmandrel 50 are supported within a frame 104, which may be similar to theframe 627 described and illustrated in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2020/0261959, filed as application Ser. No. 16/795,742on Feb. 20, 2020, in the name of Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation,the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The mandrel 50 includes a conical outer surface 106 engageable with ahead or working element 110 of the expansion tool 10 (FIG. 1 ). In theillustrated embodiment, the working element 110 includes a plurality ofjaws 114. The conical outer surface 106 of the mandrel 50 (FIG. 2 ) isengageable with interior sides of the jaws 114 as the mandrel 50 movesfrom a retracted position to an extended position along the mandrel axis54. This expands the jaws 114 radially outward from a closed position(illustrated in FIG. 1 ) to an expanded position. The jaws 114 may bebiased toward the closed position (e.g., by an O-ring or toroidal springsurrounding the jaws 114, by tension springs interconnecting adjacentjaws 114, or by any other suitable arrangement), such that the jaws 114return to the closed position when the mandrel 50 retracts along themandrel axis 54.

Referring to FIG. 1 , each of the jaws 114 has an exterior side with atapered portion 118 and a sizing portion 122. When the working element110 is in the closed position, adjacent jaws 114 abut one another suchthat the tapered portions 118 define a generally frustoconical shape.The sizing portions 122 collectively define a constant diameter ormaximum cross-sectional dimension when the jaws 114 are in the closedposition, with the diameter being sized for proper expansion of PEXtubing of a desired nominal size. In other embodiments, the jaws 114 maybe formed with other linear and/or non-linear profiles along the lengthof each jaw 114. In some embodiments, the working element 110 may beremovably coupled to the expansion tool 10 such that the jaws 114 may beinterchanged with jaws having other sizes/geometries. For example, theworking element 110 may be part of an expansion tool system including aplurality of interchangeable working elements, such as the expansiontool system 905 described and illustrated in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2020/0261959, which, as discussed above, is incorporatedby reference.

The expansion tool 10 may include an automatic jaw rotation mechanism200, such as the automatic jaw rotation mechanism 200 described andillustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/187,265, filed Feb.26, 2021, in the name of Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, the entirecontent of which is incorporated herein by reference. The automatic jawrotation mechanism 200 is configured to automatically rotate the jaws114 of the working element 110 about the mandrel axis 54 duringoperation of the expansion tool 10.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic jawrotation mechanism 200 includes a rotation collar 220 rotatablysupported by the frame 104 adjacent a connection end 2000 of the frame104. The connection end 2000 includes a set of external threads 2002.The rotation collar 220 includes a central bore 2004 which allows themandrel 50 to pass through the rotation collar 220 and engage the jaws114. The rotation collar 220 includes an end face 2006 having aplurality of slots 2008 extending from the end face 2006 in an axialdirection (i.e. a rearward direction). A plurality of teeth 2010 extendsforwardly from the end face 2006. The teeth 2010 are arranged such thateach tooth 2010 is disposed between an adjacent pair of slots 2008. Theillustrated teeth 2010 are formed as truncated pyramids. In otherembodiments, the teeth 2010 may be formed in other suitable shapes.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 7 , the working element 110 is removablycoupled to the frame 104 by a retaining sleeve 2012. The retainingsleeve 2012 includes an internal groove 2013 and a set of internalthreads 2014. Each of the jaws 114 includes a flange 2015 that isreceived within the internal groove 2013 of the retaining sleeve 2012.The jaws 114 are rotatable relative to the retaining sleeve 2012, as theflanges 2015 are slidable within the internal groove 2013. The internalthreads 2014 of the retaining sleeve 2012 cooperate with the externalthreads 2002 of the connection end 2000 to removably couple theretaining sleeve 2012 to the frame 104

Referring to FIG. 6A, each of the jaws 114 of the working element 110includes a base surface 2016, which faces rearward when the workingelement 110 is coupled to the expansion tool 10. The base surface 2016includes a projection or tab 2018 and two grooves 2022 located on eitherside of the tab 2018, along the edges of the base surface 2016. When thetabs 2018 are tapered outward in the rearward direction to match theprofile of the conical outer surface 106 mandrel 50.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 , when attaching the working element 110to the expansion tool 10, an operator positions the retaining sleeve2012 adjacent the connection end 2000 of the frame. In order to couplethe jaws 114 to the rotation collar 220, the tabs 2018 of the jaws 114must align with the slots 2008 formed in the end face 2006 of therotation collar 220. As shown in FIG. 8 , the jaws 114 can then berotated relative to the retaining sleeve 2012 and the frame 104 untilthe tabs 2018 are aligned with the slots 2008, at which point theretaining sleeve 2012 can be rotated relative to the frame 104 to beginthreading the retaining sleeve 2012 on to the external threads 2002 ofthe connection end 2000.

Continued rotation of the retaining sleeve 2012 in a tighteningdirection causes the tabs 2018 to travel further into the slots 2008,thereby rotatably coupling the rotation collar 220 and the jaws 114.Once the retaining sleeve 2012 is fully installed on the connection end2000, the teeth 2010 (FIG. 5 ) engage the grooves 2022 (FIG. 6A) toprovide an additional torque-transmitting connection between therotation collar 220 and the jaws 114.

In operation, the jaws 114 (FIG. 1 ) of the expansion tool 10 areinserted into an end of a segment of PEX tubing to be expanded such thatthe tapered portions 118 abut an interior wall of the PEX tubing. Theoperator depresses the actuator 26, which energizes the motor 30.

Once energized, the motor 30 rotates the cam 86 via the drive mechanism34 to perform cycles of axially extending and retracting the mandrel 50along the mandrel axis 54 (FIG. 2 ), thereby expanding and contractingthe jaws 114. As the jaws 114 expand, the tapered portions 118 engagewith the interior wall of the PEX tubing to gradually expand the PEXtubing. The expansion tool 10 continues the cycles of axially extendingand retracting the mandrel 50. The operator pushes the jaws 114 deeperinto the PEX tubing with each successive expansion until the sizingportions 122 of the jaws 114 are fully inserted into the PEX tubing.This indicates to the operator that expansion is complete. The jaws 114are withdrawn from the PEX tubing, and the operator inserts a fittinginto the end of the PEX tubing. The interior of the PEX tubing thenelastically recovers and secures the fitting in place.

The automatic rotation mechanism 200 operates to incrementally rotatethe jaws 114 during each cycle of axially extending and retracting themandrel 50. The automatic rotation mechanism 200 incrementally rotatesthe rotation collar 220. As the rotation collar 220 rotates, the slots2008 engage the tabs 2018 and transfer the rotation to the jaws 114. Theengagement between the tabs 2018 and the slots 2008 ensure that rotationis transferred without any slippage. Additionally, the teeth 2010 engagethe grooves 2022 to provide an additional torque-transmitting connectionbetween the rotation collar 220 and the jaws 114. The retaining sleeve2012 remains stationary and retains the jaws 114 adjacent the connectionend 2000 of the frame 104.

The jaws 114 are preferably incrementally rotated during each retractioncycle by an angular displacement that is less than the angular spacingof the jaws 114. For example, when the working element 110 includes sixjaws, the jaws are spaced by sixty degrees, and the automatic rotationmechanism 200 is operable to rotate the jaws 114 by an angulardisplacement less than sixty degrees during each retraction cycle. Insome embodiments, the jaws 114 are rotated by an angular displacementless than 45 degrees, and in some embodiments, the jaws 114 are rotatedby an angular displacement less than 20 degrees.

By rotating the jaws 114 by an angular displacement that is less thanthe angular spacing of the jaws 114, the jaws 114 smooth out anyindentations that may be formed on the interior wall of the PEX tubingduring expansion. This promotes a quality seal with the subsequentlyinserted fitting. Furthermore, by rotating the jaws 114 while the jaws114 are retracting, friction between the jaws 114 and the PEX tubing isreduced. In addition, rotating the jaws 114 simultaneously while thejaws 114 are retracting advantageously reduces the cycle time of theexpansion tool 10.

FIG. 6B illustrates a conventional working element 110 a, which mayalternatively be coupled to the expansion tool 10. The working element110 a does not include the tabs 2018 and instead only includes thegrooves 2020 a formed on the base surfaces 2016 a of the jaws 114 a.Because the rotation collar 220 includes the teeth 2010, the teeth 2010are received within the grooves 2020 a when the working element 110 a iscoupled to the frame 104 to couple the jaws 114 a for co-rotation withthe rotation collar 220. Thus, the rotation collar 220 of the expansiontool 10 is advantageously backwards-compatible with conventional workingelements, such as the working element 110 a.

FIGS. 10A and 11A illustrate additional embodiments of working elements110 b and 110 c which may be coupled to the expansion tool 10 (e.g., bythe retaining sleeve 2012). In each case, the interior sides of jaws 114define an interior cavity 126 in which an inner cone 130 a (FIG. 10A),130 b (FIG. 10B) is disposed. The inner cone 130 a, 130 b defines anouter conical surface 134 that abuts and engages the interior sides ofthe jaws 114 and an inner bore 138 that extends at least partially alongthe length of the inner cone 130 along a conical axis 142.

The inner cone 130 a, 130 b is engageable with the mandrel 50 andslidable along the mandrel axis 54 therewith. More specifically, themandrel 50 engages the inner cone 130 a, 130 b with the mandrel 50 atleast partially disposed in the inner bore 138 of the inner cone 130 a,130 b. As the mandrel 50 engages the inner cone 130 a, 130 b andproceeds in a linear direction along the mandrel axis 54, the inner cone130 a, 130 b engages the interior sides of jaws 114 therebytransitioning the jaws from the closed position (e.g., shown in FIG. 9 )to the expanded position (as shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A).

As shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B, the inner cone 130 a, 130 b may includefeatures for distributing and/or retaining lubricant (such as grease,oil, or other appropriate material for reducing friction betweensurfaces moving relative to one another) at the interface of the outerconical surface 134 of the inner cone 130 a, 130 b and the interiorsides of jaws 114.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the inner cone 130 a includes aplurality of bores 146 extending from the outer conical surface 134 tothe inner bore 138 and fluidly communicating with the inner bore 138,such that lubricant is allowed to move through the inner bore 138 at theengagement with the mandrel 50 to the outer conical surface 134 viabores 146. Lubricant is thereby applied at the interface of the outerconical surface 134 and the interior sides of jaws 114.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 11B, the inner cone 130 b includesa plurality of grooves 150 disposed on the outer conical surface 134spaced along the conical axis 142 and extending circumferentially aboutthe outer conical surface 134 and radially inward toward the inner bore138. Lubricant may be disposed in the grooves 150 whereby the interfaceof the outer conical surface 134 and the interior sides of jaws 114 ismaintained in a lubricated state.

Various features and aspects of the present invention are set forth inthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An expansion tool, comprising: a housing; acollar rotatably coupled to the housing, the collar including aplurality of slots; a plurality of jaws, each jaw having a projectionreceived in a corresponding one of the plurality of slots such that thejaws are coupled for co-rotation with the collar; a mandrel moveablerelative to the housing between a retracted position and an extendedposition, the mandrel engageable with the jaws to expand the jaws inresponse to movement of the mandrel to the extended position; a conereceived within the plurality of jaws and engageable with inner surfacesof the plurality of jaws, wherein the mandrel is configured to engagethe cone to move the cone with the mandrel to expand the jaws as themandrel moves toward the extended position; and a rotation mechanismconfigured to incrementally rotate the collar.
 2. The expansion tool ofclaim 1, wherein the collar includes a front surface facing the jaws,and wherein the slots extend in a rearward direction from the frontsurface.
 3. The expansion tool of claim 2, wherein the collar includes aplurality of teeth extending in a forward direction from the frontsurface.
 4. The expansion tool of claim 3, wherein the plurality of jawsis removably coupled to the housing.
 5. The expansion tool of claim 4,wherein the housing at least partially encloses a frame having aconnection end, wherein the expansion tool further comprises a retainingsleeve surrounding the plurality of jaws, and wherein the plurality ofjaws is configured to be coupled to the housing by coupling theretaining sleeve to the connection end of the frame.
 6. The expansiontool of claim 4, wherein the plurality of jaws is a first plurality ofjaws, and the first plurality of jaws is interchangeable with a secondplurality of jaws.
 7. The expansion tool of claim 6, wherein each jaw ofthe second plurality of jaws includes a recess formed in a rear surfaceof the jaw, and each recess is configured to receive a corresponding oneof the plurality of teeth to couple the second plurality of jaws forco-rotation with the collar.
 8. The expansion tool of claim 1, furthercomprising a drive mechanism including a rotatable cam, wherein rotationof the cam moves the mandrel between the retracted position and theextended position.
 9. The expansion tool of claim 8, wherein the drivemechanism is operable in a high speed configuration and a low speedconfiguration, and wherein the expansion tool further comprises: ashifting assembly including an actuator operable to shift the drivemechanism between the high speed configuration and the low speedconfiguration; and a shifting detector configured to detect a shiftbetween the high speed configuration and the low speed configuration.10. The expansion tool of claim 1, wherein the cone includes a pluralityof grooves containing grease to lubricate the inner surfaces of theplurality of jaws.
 11. The expansion tool of claim 1, wherein the coneincludes a plurality of bores extending from an outer conical surface toan inner bore, the plurality of bores defining fluid pathways to conveylubricant between the inner bore and an outer surface of the cone. 12.An expansion tool comprising: a housing; a motor supported in thehousing; a plurality of jaws; a mandrel moveable relative to the housingbetween a retracted position and an extended position, the mandrelengageable with the jaws to expand the jaws in response to movement ofthe mandrel to the extended position; and a drive mechanism configuredto convert rotational input from the motor into translational movementof the mandrel between the retracted position and the extended position,wherein the drive mechanism is operable in a high speed configurationand a low speed configuration.
 13. The expansion tool of claim 12,wherein the drive mechanism includes a rotatable cam, and whereinrotation of the cam moves the mandrel between the retracted position andthe extended position.
 14. The expansion tool of claim 13, furthercomprising a shifting assembly including an actuator operable to shiftthe drive mechanism between the high speed configuration and the lowspeed configuration; and a shifting detector configured to detect ashift between the high speed configuration and the low speedconfiguration.
 15. The expansion tool of claim 14, wherein the shiftingdetector includes a micro switch.
 16. The expansion tool of claim 15,wherein the shifting assembly includes a shifting arm engageable withthe micro switch.
 17. The expansion tool of claim 14, wherein the motorrotates the rotatable cam via the drive mechanism and a controller incommunication with the shifting detector, wherein the controller isconfigured to deenergize the motor in response to the shifting detectordetecting the shift.
 18. The expansion tool of claim 17, furthercomprising an indicator, wherein the controller is configured toilluminate the indicator in response to the shifting detector detectingthe shift.
 19. The expansion tool of claim 12, wherein the drivemechanism includes a multi-stage planetary transmission, wherein themulti-stage planetary transmission includes a movable ring gear and alocking ring, wherein the movable ring gear is engaged with the lockingring in the low speed configuration, and wherein the movable ring gearis disengaged from the locking ring in the high speed configuration. 20.An expansion tool, comprising: a housing; a collar rotatably coupled tothe housing; a plurality of jaws coupled for co-rotation with thecollar; a mandrel moveable relative to the housing between a retractedposition and an extended position, the mandrel engageable with the jawsto expand the jaws in response to movement of the mandrel to theextended position; and a cone received within the plurality of jaws andengageable with inner surfaces of the plurality of jaws, wherein themandrel is configured to engage the cone to move the cone with themandrel to expand the jaws as the mandrel moves toward the extendedposition, and wherein the cone includes means for containing grease tolubricate the inner surfaces of the plurality of jaws.